You need a solarregulator , that can handle the input voltage , for simple PWM based controller this will be inefficient , but will work, given the high voltage , a power converting mppt one would be best.
you can even conn. the panel directly to the battery as long as you monitor the charge voltage and disconnects It at 14.4 ! ( but I wouldn't reccomend that approach !)

Dave

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Sounds like house type of panels. I installed 2 panels wired in series for 80v @ 5a into a outback MPPT controller. Used also the mounting hardware intended for roof installation. Recommend these be anodized prior to their use. Fuse & switch the leads from the panel. Also if panels are mounted flat degrade the expected performance by up to 50%.

There are LOTS of threads on solar systems. As the above posts say you will need a charge controller with a max input voltage above the OC voltage of your panels. DO NOT connect the panels directly to your batteries. With that kind of power you will fry your batteries in no time and it could be very dangerous. While an MPPT controller would be best, it is not absolutely necessary. I'm guessing you have those panels because they are the industry standard for installation on houses, and as such are cheaper than some smaller panels. Unless you really need to maximise the efficiency of your panels a standard PWM controller will be fine and save you a great deal of money.

So the other 50% of available power form the PV array just gets bled of thermally?! Do you have a background in the field? I find this very difficult to believe. A standard DC / DC converter will give greater I on the output if the input voltage is higher. It doesn't just take all that power and dump it......... or have i been sorely misled?!

So the other 50% of available power form the PV array just gets bled of thermally?! Do you have a background in the field? I find this very difficult to believe. A standard DC / DC converter will give greater I on the output if the input voltage is higher. It doesn't just take all that power and dump it......... or have i been sorely misled?!

A PWM controller will only feed in the current as supplied by the panel. So in the case of this panel, 8 amps. The PWM will just turn off the panel to maintain the batteries at the set voltage. Pulse Width essentially means the amount of time the panels are connected to the battery.

Right, yes i understand the principle behind it. I'm amazed! In that case, i stand corrected! The thermal dump must be huge......... Sorry, i realise this discussion is not particularly relevant to the OP!

Have a look at the wiring in the connection box, some assemblies have two lower power panels wired in series and may be able to rewire them in parallel. The 31 volts sounds a little like the open circuit voltage of a 24 volt panel.